Late show for victory

miles off it. In the last few years I think we have been known for shutting up shop and not conceding many goals, so this season has been very unusual to what I have experienced.”

United remain four points outside the top four, despite their improvement, and the 28-year-old is aware that many of the club’s global fan base remain far from satisfied.

“To be able to be at a club like this, and last as long as I have, you need to have that courage and belief in your ability, because you’re not going to have good days every week and the bad days are often highlighted. You can’t get away from it [social-media criticism]. I’m not saying I’m going to read all my comments, but as players you need to have thick skin.”

Callum Wilson put Bournemouth in front with his sixth goal of the season, strengthening calls for his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s next England squad.

Wilson played down those suggestions, though. “I don’t want to talk my way into the squad, I want to play my way in,” he said, but it is becoming increasingly hard to suggest he is not doing just that.

After watching Wilson score his 50th goal for Bournemouth, manager Eddie Howe said: “He’s a striker in form, confident at the moment and producing some good performances for us, and that’s all he can do.

“He’s a very ambitious guy, very driven. He’s got a lot more to his story here to achieve and hopefully we can do that this season.” Unai Emery Arsenal’s winning run was cast aside by their critics, who argued the Gunners were facing easy opposition. But the performance and draw against Liverpool leaves little doubt that Emery is turning things around at the Emirates.